Visualizing Apoptosis
These pictures, from Dr. Roland Eils of the University of Heidelberg and the German Cancer Research Center, illustrate the process of programmed cell death, called “apoptosis,” using fluorescence microscopy. Dr. Eils’ work combines mathematical modeling with experiments in molecular cell biology to yield a detailed, quantitative understanding of basic cellular mechanisms. His knowledge in the fields of physics, mathematics and biology enables scientific results not likely attainable through a traditional approach. Such an integration of expertise comprises the relatively new field of systems biology, an illustration of this report’s emphasis on cross-disciplinary activities.